Routines for Rebels: Recent Episodes
Yasmin Yoga
Meditations, musings and practices to help channel your renegade energy and flow with ease.
Find me @yasminyoga & yasminyoga.com
PART III: Third & last set of 36 sun salutations - the breezy part!
April 18 is Day 108 (unless it’s a leap year). This date holds a special place in my heart not only because the number 108 highly auspicious, but it is also the anniversary of the start of my 108 Days of 108 Sun Salutations, an epic journey that led to becoming the first woman to break the Guinness World Record in 2010 for the Longest Yoga Marathon (32 hours) and raising nearly $15,000 for charity.
To celebrate, normally, I co-organize a huge Yoga Mala (108 Surya Namaskar) practice live, but this year, given the current global pandemic situation and given that I am massively pregnant, I am sharing this guided audio series: 108 Sun Salutations in three parts of 36. You can do them all or just one segment at a time. Do this when you are ready to make a powerful shift in your life or to celebrate something significant.
Why 108
In various ancestral traditions, and particularly in the yoga tradition, 108 is a sacred number which represents union, spirituality and infinity. The 108th day of the year is the perfect occasion to celebrate life and all our learning through the practice of 108 sun salutations, a powerful prayer in motion.
Click here for more info on How to do 108 Sun Salutations
PART II: This is second set of the 36 Sun Salutations, part of the Day 108 series.
April 18 is Day 108 (unless it’s a leap year). This date holds a special place in my heart not only because the number 108 highly auspicious, but it is also the anniversary of the start of my 108 Days of 108 Sun Salutations, an epic journey that led to becoming the first woman to break the Guinness World Record in 2010 for the Longest Yoga Marathon (32 hours) and raising nearly $15,000 for charity.
To celebrate, normally, I co-organize a huge Yoga Mala (108 Surya Namaskar) practice live, but this year, given the current global pandemic situation and given that I am massively pregnant, I am sharing this guided audio series: 108 Sun Salutations in three parts of 36. You can do them all or just one segment at a time. Do this when you are ready to make a powerful shift in your life or to celebrate something significant.
Why 108
In various ancestral traditions, and particularly in the yoga tradition, 108 is a sacred number which represents union, spirituality and infinity. The 108th day of the year is the perfect occasion to celebrate life and all our learning through the practice of 108 sun salutations, a powerful prayer in motion.
Click here for more info on How to do 108 Sun Salutations
April 18 is Day 108 (unless it’s a leap year). This date holds a special place in my heart not only because the number 108 highly auspicious, but it is also the anniversary of the start of my 108 Days of 108 Sun Salutations, an epic journey that led to becoming the first woman to break the Guinness World Record in 2010 for the Longest Yoga Marathon (32 hours) and raising nearly $15,000 for charity.
To celebrate, normally, I co-organize a huge Yoga Mala (108 Surya Namaskar) practice live, but this year, given the current global pandemic situation and given that I am massively pregnant, I am sharing this guided audio series: 108 Sun Salutations in three parts of 36. You can do them all or just one segment at a time. Do this when you are ready to make a powerful shift in your life or to celebrate something significant.
Why 108
In various ancestral traditions, and particularly in the yoga tradition, 108 is a sacred number which represents union, spirituality and infinity. The 108th day of the year is the perfect occasion to celebrate life and all our learning through the practice of 108 sun salutations, a powerful prayer in motion.
Click here for more info on How to do 108 Sun Salutations
Ayurvedic self-massage is a nice, nurturing ritual that helps foster self-love and appreciation. Here is a guided practice. Also known as Abhyanga, Ayurvedic self-massage is great in the morning, because it is particularly helpful for circulation & lymphatic drainage. Not only does it help lubricate the joints & muscles, but it is also assists the body’s natural detoxification process.
How to practice self-massage
There is no right or wrong way to do self-massage, but it is best to start with your head and end with your toes. Basically, we do circular motions on the joints and vigorously rub up and down between the joints.
A strong and stable core isn't really for aesthetics. Core strength is also important for maintaining good posture and preventing back pain. Working on our core can also help improve digestion and boost the function of our third chakra. Known as Manipura, the shining gem, our solar pelux charka is associated with digestion, emotional stability, confidence and drive. Get the PDF that accompanies this practice - click here: https://yasminfgow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DAY26-CoreSequence1.pdf
One of the most effective ways to calm the mind and let go of tension is through the breath. Pranayama or breathing exercises are ultra powerful and yet simple to do. They also help you slip into meditation with greater ease. In this episode, I am guiding you through two of my favourite breathing exercises: The Yawning Breathopens the upper chest, relaxes the heart and Bhramari Breathing, which improves circulation in the brain, reduces tension & stress. These practices are highly beneficial and everyone can do them.
I love morning yoga and in particular sun salutations. The benefits for your body, mind and mood are massive. My mission for you, should you choose to accept it, is to do 8-10 sun salutations ever morning for a week and see how you feel mentally, emotionally and physically.
This is a powerful meditation to centre your energy, soothe physical tensions and balance emotions. It's also fantastic for healing inner and outer chaos. Good for this time!
Join me for a 30 minute winter walk through Old Montreal, where we'll cover a range of topics from coffee to ancient vomitoriums. No joke! I'll also share the amazing benefits of walking, take a few moments in silence and enjoy new perspectives.
How can walking is beneficial for fitness & wellbeing
Contrary to other forms of training, walking is very versatile and brings many benefits with its practice as part of your fitness sessions:
- It aids blood circulation and oxygenation, which leads to improved fat burning and mental sharpness;
- It burns calories which helps building your metabolic rate and making you lose and maintain a healthy weight;
- It’s low impact and way less stressful on the body compared to running, so anyone can do it pretty much anywhere;
- It can be used as part of your pre-workout warm up;
- It can be used as part of your post-workout cool down to help bring your heart rate down (reduce stress) while burning a few extra calories;
- Combine a 10-minute core training session with a 35-45 minute walk for an amazing active recovery day between heavier workout days.
Post images of your walk & tag me, so I can see what you see! @yasminyoga Find me:yasminfgow.com
Morning Meditation is a beautiful practice. It's not always easy, but it's worthwhile. The benefits are subtle at first and every day is different, but it heals your subconscious mind and bring peace to your body, opens your heart and awakens your spirit.
By incorporating meditation into your daily routine, all of the above becomes more natural, but takes practice. Meditation is not easy. It requires us to practice being still, present, focused and calm. But it is worth it.
Meditation also helps to manage & release stress with is very important in our busy lives.
Most people believe meditation is an all or nothing thing. If they can't sit still, then they can't meditate. I know very few people that can sit still. It takes practice and it's ok if you get distracted.
TIPS:
- Make sure you are sitting comfortably - start sitting on a chair.
- Practice at time when you are least likely to be distracted like early morning or before bed.
- Start with short sits of 5-10 mins.
- Use a timer.
- Use your breath as a guide to help you stay present.
- Follow a guided meditation -- click here to download a guided meditation.
- It's normal to get distracted.
- As soon as you notice you are distracted, gently return your focus to your breath.
- Meditation gets easier over time.
- Still some days will be easier to focus thann others.
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How you start today will impact everything for the rest of the day and potentially the rest of the week.
This said, it is never too late to start the day over.
I want you to consider the following:
- What time are you waking up now?
- What time do you have to wake up?
- What do you do now between when you wake up and when you have to leave the house?
- How do you feel in the Morning?
- How do you want to feel?
Next I want you to do this first thing in the morning or pause and do this now:
- Cultivate gratitude - Before you even get out of bed or perhaps as you get out of bed (or pause and do this now)
- Hydrate yourself - Make yourself a morning tonic & drink up:
1 scoop of Arbonne Superfood Greens
1/2 Energy Fizz
1/2 Lemon or Lime juice
Water at room temp 3. Create a simple morning routine for yourself:Consider what else you could you include in your morning routine that would make you feel great. Yoga? Meditation? Exercise? Journaling? etc.
How long would this take you?
Tonight set your alarm for 30-60 mins before you HAVE TO wake up (you may want to head to bed earlier tonight)